<p>Hey guys,</p>
<p>I need some help regarding one issue in my PhD. I recently started my 2nd year of PhD in UK university, I am on Studentship. But things are not going good with my supervisor (I tried- nothing worked out). I have applied in another PhD in a different UK university without studentship (I’ll pay fee myself), with a bit different topic. I got admission and have started to work there.
Now I need your advice, I want to continue these two PhDs for 4-5 months (then I’ll drop the first one), meanwhile I’ll do just work for the second university (since, my supervisor of 1st uni is not around here). Can I do it like this, mean, since I’ll take the studentship from 1st one and working with 2nd uni (off course topic is different), legally is it right?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I am wondering how you can physically work on 2 PhDs simultaneously? PhD students I know work 40-60 hours a week on their research and writing, usually in the department/lab. Won’t people at school #1 notice you are not there? It would not be ethical to accept the studentship $ for school #1 whilst working at school #2 would it? Aren’t those monies provided by your first adviser with the assumption that you are furthering his research goals? Perhaps even part of a grant he has?</p>
<p>Thank you for the reply. Meanwhile, my supervisor of 1st uni is on abroad for 2-3 months. Yes, when he’ll get back, he’ll find my nill progress, but by then I’ll quit 1st. Now, by law is it right to do so?</p>
<p>Plus, I use to meet my supervisor in 1st uni once in a three months.</p>
<p>What you suggest may not be illegal, but its totally dishonest</p>
<p>If I was your first prof, and you did this to me, I would do my best to ruin your future reputation. I would definitely contact your new uni and the prof there to let them know what you have done. I might well contact my colleagues in the field to let them know. This kind of behavior could follow you for a long time and (in my opinion) SHOULD cause you difficulty when looking for future permanent employment.</p>
<p>I understand the temptation to cling to this Studentship as long as possible, but the simple truth is that once you commit to the other Ph.D. program, you must withdraw from your current program, and resign from the Studentship. That money is no longer yours. It rightfully should go to a person who is pursuing a degree at that university, if not specifically with that professor.</p>
<p>Write to your old professor, thank him for all of his time and support, and let him know that you have determined that the line of research that you have been pursuing with him is not a good fit for you. Do your very best to leave that university on good terms.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best in your new program.</p>
<p>Thank you for your advice. I appriciate it.</p>